Bengay
 | |
| Product type | Analgesic heat rub |
|---|---|
| Owner | Johnson & Johnson |
| Produced by | Johnson & Johnson |
| Country | Developed in France by Dr. Jules Bengué |
| Introduced | 1898 (as Ben-Gay) |
| Markets | Over-the-counter drug |
| Previous owners | Pfizer |
| Website | www |
Bengay, spelled Ben-Gay before 1995, is a topical analgesic heat rub, applied to temporarily relieve muscle and joint pain associated with arthritis, bruises, simple backaches, sprains and strains.[1]
Overview
Bengay was developed in the Third French Republic by Dr. Jules Bengué (French pronunciation: [ʒyl bɛ̃ɡe]), and brought to America in 1898. The name Bengué was Anglicized and commercialized to Ben-Gay (later Bengay). It was originally produced by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, which was acquired by Johnson & Johnson. The product is advised to be used topically for adults and children 12 years of age and older, and no more than 3 to 4 times daily.[2] The manufacturer recommends storing the product between 20⁰ and 25⁰C (68⁰ and 77⁰F).[2]
Hazards
Methyl salicylate is an active ingredient in classic Bengay and most of its variants, which can be toxic when large doses are administered.[3][4] In October 2007 in the United States, a teenage athlete overdosed and died from overexposure to methyl salicylate.[3][4] This was a rare occurrence,[4] in which the person had "more than six times the safe amount of the ingredient in her body."[3]
Bengay and similar products such as Flexall, Mentholatum, Capzasin and Icy Hot have a potential to cause first-to-third-degree chemical burns.[5][6] Some people have been hospitalized after receiving such burns.[5] Products containing menthol, methyl salicylate and capsaicin as active ingredients have the potential to cause such burns.[6]
Active ingredients
The active ingredients vary by the version of the product, including:
- Bengay: Original contains 18.3% methyl salicylate and 16% menthol.[7]
- Bengay: Muscle Pain/Ultra Strength contains 30% methyl salicylate, 10% menthol, and 4% camphor.[7]
- Bengay: Ice Extra Strength contains 10% menthol.
- Bengay: Muscle Pain/No Odor contains 15% triethanolamine salicylate.
- Bengay: Arthritis Extra Strength contains 30% methyl salicylate and 8% menthol.[7]
Other uses
As a folk remedy, Bengay can be used to remove chewing gum from clothing, as the methyl salicylate serves to loosen and diffuse the gum base.[8][9]
See also
References
- ^ "Self-medicate or see a doctor? A guide for 5 common ailments". AsiaOne. April 1, 2015. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ^ a b "Bengay official website".
- ^ a b c Nazario, Brunilda (October 2007). "Bumpy Road". Women's Health. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
- ^ a b c Mundell, E.J. (June 15, 2007). "Bengay Death Highlights OTC Dangers". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ^ a b "Bengay may cause chemical burns". WSTM-TV. September 13, 2012. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ^ a b "Bengay, Icy Hot can cause serious burns: FDA". Chatham Daily News. September 13, 2012. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ^ a b c Pray, W.S. (2006). Nonprescription Product Therapeutics. Nonprescription Product Therapeutics. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 335. ISBN 978-0-7817-3498-1. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ^ Janeway, Kimberly (June 24, 2016). "How to Remove Stains Like Mustard, Red Wine, and Ink". Consumer Reports. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
- ^ "How to get rid of chewing gum from clothes". Deccan Chronicle. June 28, 2016. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
Further reading
- Haig, M. (2005). Brand Failures: The Truth about the 100 Biggest Branding Mistakes of All Time. Kogan Page Series. Kogan Page. p. 95. ISBN 978-0-7494-4433-4.
- Claims, United States. Court of; Appeals, District of Columbia. Court of (1985). The Federal Reporter. West Publishing Company. pp. 209–211.
- Justo, Patrick Di (October 20, 2008). "What's Inside Ultra-Strength Bengay?". Wired. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
{{cite web}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - "Food, Drug, Cosmetic Law Reporter". Commerce Clearing House. 1960. pp. 8431, 8495–8496.
- PDR, Thomson; Physicians (2004). PDR for Nonprescription Drugs and Dietary Supplements. Thomson Pdr. p. 643. ISBN 978-1-56363-478-9. (subscription required)
- Shetty, D. (2015). Product Design For Engineers. Cengage Learning. pp. 28–29. ISBN 978-1-305-53719-4.
- Johnsen, Michael (July 26, 2011). "Dara Torres to serve as brand ambassador to Bengay". Drug Store News. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
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